Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Frank and Simone Lange (Milan Preschel and Steffi Kuhnert) sit in a doctor's office as the doctor plainly describes that Frank headaches over the last few month are due to a brain tumour. The couple are shown brain images and the doctor explains that because of the location, and size of the tumour, surgery is not an option. Their next decision is on how and when to tell their 14 year old daughter Lilli (Taslisa Lili Lemke) and 8 year old son Mika (Mika Nilson Seidel) that their father only has a couple of months to live.

At first Frank continues to go to work at the plant and all seems relatively well. One night as the family is around the dinner table Frank seeing his family together and happy becomes distraught and Simone tells her children that their father is not well. The family takes an overnight trip to a water park that starts out fine until Frank goes missing in the middle of the night to be found by his kids lying on the ground near a garden unable to get back to their sleeping quarters. Next we see Frank as he becomes violently ill in the car on the way home.

Monday, November 26, 2012

It has been almost a week since I watched Holy Motors and a day has not gone by without me reflecting on some aspect of the film. The film is one of those rare cinematic experiences where I was both dazzled and befuddled at the same time. Holy Motors is a film that is an enigma that cannot easily be solved in one viewing. In fact the film is not really designed to be figured out at all. Leos Carax deliberately crafts his film in such a way that it forces the viewer to focus more on the experience and themes rather than finding concrete answers.

The film starts off with a man (played by Carax himself) waking up in a room and inspecting a wall that looks like a forest. After a few moments he locates a hidden door which leads into a theater. As the man looks out into the theatre, the figure of another man scampers down the aisle followed by a dog walking in slow motion. It is at this point Carax's film falls down the rabbit hole as the main crux of the film beings to unfold. The film within a film finds Monsieur Oscar (Denis Lavant) leaving a posh estate and walking towards a waiting limousine. After greeting his driver, Celine (Edith Scob), and making a brief phone call, Monsieur Oscar begins to prep for the nine “appointments” he will be required to fulfill over the course of the day. These appointments will have Monsieur Oscar embodying a series of unique personas.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Planes, Trains and
Automobiles was on TV Wednesday on the eve of American Thanksgiving.I can always count on seeing that movie at
this time of year.It remains one of my
favourite John Hughes films and John Candy films.The scene that stuck out for me after watching
it this last time is the scene where Del Griffith (John Candy) is driving a
rental car while Neal Page (Steve Martin) sleeps soundly in the passenger seat
beside him.“Mess Around” by Ray Charles
comes on the radio and Del begins to rock out.He transfers a lit cigarette from his hand to his mouth in between
singing and playing air guitar across the dash and saxophone with no hands on
the wheel.At one point, he tosses his
cigarette out a crack in the driver side window, but unbeknownst to Del, the
cigarette actually falls in the backseat. Oddly enough, Neal sleeps right through all of
it.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Despite the fact that many people deal with paralysis from the waist down on a daily basis, it is still a disability that few can fully grasp. People with disabilities are often met with pity, regardless of the fact that they can still have full and rewarding lives. Musical Chairs is a film that wants to both promote the extraordinary capabilities of people with disabilities, as well as inspire people to follow their passions. Like most romantic comedies though, reaching your dreams can only be achieved when you are willing to let love in.

A naturally talented dancer, Armando (E.J. Bonilla), works at his family’s restaurant during the day while dreaming of being a professional dance instructor. At night Armando works as a cleaner at a local dance studio. It is there we he becomes infatuated with the beautiful Mia (Leah Pipes), a dancer who sees potential in Armando’s raw talent. Unfortunately for Armando, Mia is dating the egotistical owner of the dance studio, Daniel (Philip Willingham). One night Mia is hit by a car will crossing the street. The accident leaves her in the hospital paralyzed from the waist down.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Welcome to the Great Debate, a feature that asks you to
argue for or against one of two opposing film-related elements.You will make your case for why you think one
element is better than the other.Let
the debate begin!

Monday, November 19, 2012

Over the weekend, I came across the original film in the
Friday the 13th movie series, and I’ve got to say, it still holds up
quite well.The first film in the series
isn’t the bloody gore fest that its sequels became.It’s simpler in its scare tactics and depiction
of murder largely due to the budgetary limitations of the time, but that’s not
detrimental to the film which makes up for it with creepy, atmospheric tension
rather than gore.With that said, it is campier
(and not just because it takes place at a summer camp) than its superior and
far more chilling predecessor Halloween,
but it works.

The first part of the film is a tad dialogue heavy as it
focuses on a group of six camp counselors at Camp Crystal Lake, a defunct
summer camp believed to be cursed due its history of unsavory events.The property’s new owner, Steve Christy, is
determined to reopen the camp.As day
turns to night, Alice, Marcie, Brenda, Jack, Bill and Ned do what teenagers do;
some sneak off and have sex (a staple of the horror movie template), while
others play “strip monopoly” or go off for a solitary stroll in the woods.There’s a killer on the loose eliminating the
counselors one-by-one.Sex is relevant
here, as it tends to be in the horror movie formula, as it serves as the sin the
killer punishes the “naughty” teenagers for.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Mark O'Brien (John Hawkes) spends the majority of his day in an Iron Lung. He has a portable device which he can use for up to 4 hours when outside of the home but that depends on how he feels. His movements are based on tilting his head, moving his nose, and his overall eye expressions. We first meet Mark in a real life news report from his student days at Berkley. He is suffering from polio and has an electric gurney that has mirrors above his head so he can see where he is going.

A few years later Mark is a poet and writer living alone with an Aid that is rough and borderline abusive. Although Mark's muscles do not work, due to the polio which he has had since the age of 6, his mind is clear and sharp. Having lost his motorized gurney, after several prior accidents, Mark needs an attendant's assistance to get around. This includes his regular trips to church where he not only gives confession to the local priest Father Brendan (William H Macy), but also seeks approval to fire his abusive Aid.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Ever since Daniel Craig first donned James Bond’s trademark tuxedo and bowtie, there has been a divide between the Bond faithful. There were those who immediately embraced the new, more rugged, James Bond and his slightly more realistic approach to the espionage game. However, there was an equal number of fans who found the lack of Bond staples, most noticeable the high-tech gadgets, to be a slap in the face of everything Bond. Fortunately Sam Mendes’ latest film, Skyfall, will not only unite both Bond camps, but also take the franchise in a thrilling new direction.

Skyfall is a film that both acknowledges and embraces that it chronicles a character who has been around for 23 films over the course of 50 years. The themes of getting older and dealing with ones mortality are prominent throughout the film. The world that Bond and MI6 now exist in has changed drastically. Enemies of Britain no longer can be identified by nationality, as most now lurk in the shadows and resort to acts of cyber terrorism instead of straight on assaults. As the methods of enemies change, the once solid counter-terrorism methods that M (Judi Dench) uses are now viewed as out of date by the government. Even M’s top agent, James Bond (Daniel Craig) seems to be showing his age as he is not the man he used to be.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Mu Lianfeng (Peter Ho) is out hunting boar when a fighter plane crashes into his perch. Lianfeng saves the pilot trapped inside who, in turn, helps him learn how to refine his shooting skills. These skills eventually come in handy as Lianfeng is forced to save some Chinese soldiers that have been pinned down by Japanese snipers. Before he knows it, Lianfeng is recruited into the sniper division of the Chinese army and sent on missions to eliminate high ranking Japanese officials.

As Lianfeng proves himself with his unique talent, he becomes a hero in his village. He even catches the eye of a widower (Song Jia) who runs a popular tea house. His mentor Mengzi (Tony Leung Ka Fai), who is haunted by events of the past, advises Lianfeng that attachments only cause weakness in their line of work. However, Lianfeng is soon forced to choose between his heart and his country when a ruthless Japanese sniper takes aim at Lianfeng and those he holds dear.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Like most Torontonians, the cold winter months makes director Richard Fung long for the warm climate of his homeland of Trinidad. To combat the seasonal blues, Fung likes to find solace in his local roti restaurant. It is this love for dal puri, a particular type of roti shell that is common in Trinidad and other parts of the Caribbean, which leads Fung on a globetrotting journey to discover the true origin of dal puri roti and how it eventually made its way to Canada.

Fung’s first stop is Trinidad where his quest reveals more than simple roti recipes. In order to truly understand dal puri, he needed to understand the historical roots behind it. Fung’s research uncovers a path that leads all the way back to the African slaves and the Indian migrants who were brought to Trinidad to work on plantations. Fung highlights how British colonialists viewed the African Slaves as being responsible for the decline of their plantations whereas the Indian workers were viewed as the crops saviours. This ultimately had lasting impacts on both the social hierarchy and racial tensions between the Indians and Africans on the island.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

It seems that as Mamouru Hosoda continues to receive wider recognition outside of Japan, the more people are eager to compare him to the legendary Hayao Miyazaki. Part of this stems from the fact that Hosoda was original tapped to direct Miyazaki’s Howl’s Moving Castle; and part of it is due to how well Hosoda blends fantasy and reality in his films. Wolf Children is bound to add further fuel to the Miyazaki comparisons, especially in regards to the fluid animation and childlike sense of wonder in the film. However, hopefully Wolf Children will cement Hosoda as a brilliant talent in his own.

Wolf Children is a fantastical tale about a young woman, Hana, who becomes infatuated with a mysterious man she encounters at university. As the bond between them grows stronger, the man reveals that he a wolf-man, the last of his kind. At first Hana is stunned by the news, as wolves have been extinct for a long time, but her growing love for him allows her to accept him completely. The pair become inseparable and Hana eventually gives birth to two children, a daughter, Yuki, and a son, Ame. When tragedy strikes unexpectedly, Hana is forced to raise the children on her own. Over time the children being to display the ability to change into wolves. This becomes rather problematic for Hana as she struggles to keep her children’s gift secret. When Child Services begins to inquire why Yuki and Ame have not received the vaccinations that are required for all Japanese children, Hana decides it is time for change.

Friday, November 09, 2012

Han Yan’s latest film, the romantic First Time, is much like the cassette tapes that play a central role in the film. There are two distinct sides: Side A is the typical cinematic romance; and Side B is a deconstruction of every convention in Side A. Like some cassettes though, the more you re-record over the tape the higher the chances that your favourite song gets buried in the noise. While First Time features numerous moments that work beautifully, Yan’s constant need to remix the audiences perception is ultimately the films downfall.

First Time tells the story of college student Song Shiqiao (played by model Angelababy) who has been suffering from a rare disease since she was a child. As a result of this condition, she cannot over exert herself, as it could lead to her death. This is why Shiqiao’s overprotective mother (Shan Jiang) has instituted several strict rules to ensure her safety. In addition to obeying her mother’s stern rules, Shiqiao must also frequently take medication that affects her ability to remember things. This leads Shiqiao to record all of her thoughts on cassette to fill in any gaps she may have. Fortunately for Shiqiao, her life takes a positive turn when a past high school crush, Gong Ning (Mark Chao), comes back into her life. As love begins to blossom between the sickly Shiqiao and the bad boy rocker Ning, it slowly becomes apparent that there is another side to this romance.

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Going into Jake Shimabukuro: Life on Four Strings, I had no prior knowledge of Jake Shimabukuro, or his particular talents. An hour later I was not only online researching Shimabukuro’s catalogue of work, but also contemplating if I should include a ukulele on my Christmas list. While the film itself plays like a traditional documentary, there is no denying that Jake Shimabukuro is an extremely talented individual whose positive attitude is rather infectious.

The film starts off during the second stop on his West Coast tour. Despite receiving both critical and commercial success, Shimabukuro still cannot believe how fortunate he is to achieve what he has. Playing the ukulele since the age of four, Shimabukuro slowly became a household name in his native Hawaii. He even formed a band, Pure Heart, shortly after finishing high school. However, it was not until is his video “Ukulele Weeps” went viral on YouTube, one of the first viral videos on the then fledgling website, that Shimabukuro became a worldwide sensation.

Wednesday, November 07, 2012

If you are a fan of manga, then you are most likely aware of the works of Yoshihiro Tatsumi. However if you are unfamiliar with either manga or Yoshihiro Tatsumi, you will be itching to find out more after watching the film Tatsumi. While the film is predominantly a biopic, it does not follow the typical conventions of the genre. This provides director Eric Khoo with the freedom to tell Yoshihiro Tatsumi’s life story the best way he knows how, through Tatsumi’s artwork.

Based on Yoshihiro Tatsumi’s autobiographical work, A Drifting Life and other short stories, the film tells his life story while interjecting five of his fictional gekiga stories. The stories include:“Hell”, about a photographer who is haunted by the truth behind a photo he took after the bombing of Hiroshima; The peculiar “Beloved Monkey”, a tale about a factory worker and his pet monkey; “Just a Man”, about a sexually frustrated husband who longs for an affair with a woman he actually loves; “Occupied” which focuses on a children’s cartoonist who becomes obsessed with lewd drawings in a public restroom and finally, “Good-Bye” which revolves around the broken relationship between a prostitute and her frequently drunken father during the Second World War.

Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Seeking Asian Female opens
by asking why certain Western men have a thing for Asian women. That might
leave you with certain expectations for the film, but it’s best to leave them
at the door. The movie is wonderfully surprising in how it explores some
interesting and thought-provoking questions about the motives of the film’s
subjects and the role of the documentary filmmaker.

Monday, November 05, 2012

Outside of the numerous feature films screening at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, there are also six unique short film programs that offer a little something for everyone. While all six of the programs sound great, one of last year’s So You Think You Can Pitch competition winners has a short in the It’s Not What You Think program which made it a must see in particular. Here are some brief thoughts on the films in the It’s Not What You Think program:

Real Talk (Dir: Patrick Ng)

The Skinny: It’s inevitable–friends drift apart. But when your former BFF treats you like a chump, it’s time for some ‘real talk’ from the streets of Manhattan’s Two Bridges neighborhood.

Reaction: At first glance Patrick Ng’s film seems to be about a young man, Pax (Sk Wong), who loves hip hop culture, but struggles with the Asian stereotypes that society puts on him. However, Real Talk reveals itself to be an extremely engaging film about friendship and the pain of losing it. Pax and Iggy (J. Mal McCree) may be from different cultures, but they share a bond that transcends race. This is what makes the decline of their friendship so captivating. Ng’s strong visual eye really captures the urban beauty of New York and the cultures that reside within the city. While he creates his own unique style, Ng is not shy about showing were some of his influences come from. In one particular scene Ng uses a free-floating dolly shot that is commonly associated with Spike Lee films. Although it was the first short to play, Real Talk ended up being the highlight of this particular program. It is a smart, and extremely well made, film that demonstrates Patrick Ng is a director who you should be keeping an eye on in the future.

Sunday, November 04, 2012

Indie singer-songwriter, Goh Nakamura, is back playing
“himself” in Daylight Savings, a
follow-up to last year’s Surrogate
Valentine.The film succeeds as a
standalone film and is more like another chapter in the life of Goh Nakamura
rather than a true sequel, so it’s okay if you haven’t seen Surrogate Valentine.Daylight
Savings finds Goh on the cusp of making a real name for himself as a
musician.He’s about to set out on his
first national tour and his songs are appearing in TV commercials.One of his songs is featured in a commercial
for a drug that treats depression.Goh
has been in a long-term relationship with a girl named Erika and is planning to
relocate from San Francisco to Los Angeles to live with her.However, prior to his move, Erika dumps Goh
via Skype.“I’m just at a point where I
can’t be in a relationship with someone just because I like them,” she tells
him, while the anti-depressive drug commercial airs on the TV behind him.Sweet, good-natured Goh can’t seem to catch a
break with the ladies.

Goh’s friend throws him a surprise going away party.Having just been dumped, Goh arrives
depressed, sad and uncertain.His mood brightens
up, though, when he meets fellow indie rock musician, Yea-Ming Chen (of band
Dreamdate).They talk, they laugh, they
flirt, they appear to hit it off, but rather than give Goh her number, Yea-Ming
suggests that they let serendipity determine if and when they’ll see each other
again.

Saturday, November 03, 2012

Marlon Villar (Arnold Reyes) is a driver for a powerful congressman, Manuel Chango (Menggie Cobarrubias), who finds his life turned upside down when his daughter Elvie (Ella Guevara) is kidnapped. Threatened with losing his daughter for good, Marlon is forced to follow the instructions given by one of the mysterious kidnappers, Visel (Leon Miguel), over the phone. Marlon is soon entrenched in an increasingly seedy web of deceit. As Marlon scrambles to get his daughter back, he must also deal with Manuel, whose daughter is also missing. To make matters worse, Marlon also has to contend with the local cop working on the case, Detective Ramos (Dido de la Paz), who seems more interested in investigating Marlon than he is in finding Elvie.

Graceland is a film that will catch many off guard. It is a film that wallows in the misery of the darker side of life while still managing to be an “edge of your seat” thriller. It is tough to talk about Graceland without ruining everything that makes Ron Morales’ sophomore film so riveting. Morales constructs a tightly woven film that crackles at an extremely quick pace. The film may appear to be a straightforward tale on the surface, but it is surprisingly layered. The story is filled with unexpected turns and shocking revelations that take the characters further down the rabbit hole.

Friday, November 02, 2012

Toronto After Dark Film Festival is thrilled to announce the Award Winners of its 7th Annual Edition! As is tradition at Toronto After Dark, the Jury were the fans themselves with over 4,000 votes cast this year by festival-goers to determine the best new horror, sci-fi, action and cult movies from the around the world!

Genre comedies won audiences over at Toronto After Dark 2012 with the crowd-pleasing British gangsters meets zombies action comedy COCKNEYS VS ZOMBIES winning the festival’s Top Prize, the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film, GOLD. Close behind, DEAD SUSHI the latest splatter comedy from Japanese cult director Noboru Iguchi gobbled up the SILVER, while A FANTASTIC FEAR OF EVERYTHING a wildly eccentric British fantasy comedy starring fan favourite Simon Pegg snuck away with the BRONZE.

David Fincher is an intelligent and masterful filmmaker
whose attention to detail has resulted in several superb, high-quality
thrillers.One of my favourite Fincher
films is Panic Room.Fincher is a master at taking the most
minimalistic of set designs and using the physical space to raise the tension
to a fever pitch.That’s precisely what
he does in one tension-filled scene in Panic
Room when Meg (Jodie Foster) confronts the three thieves who have broken
into her house from inside a panic room, a concrete saferoom with video
surveillance monitors, a steel door that locks you in until the police arrive
and a separate phone line (which unluckily for Meg, doesn’t work.)